Oriane Sarrouy (E23) recently joined Business France in San Francisco to support French businesses in the USA’s energy and environment sectors, making her a privileged observer of American cleantech.  

ESSEC Alumni: What sparked your interest in environmental issues? 

Oriane Sarrouy: During my apprenticeship in the finance & risk practice at Accenture, I was involved in sustainable development projects and carried out tasks linking CSR and ESG. I realised, with a certain degree of frustration, that finance is among the most difficult sectors to green up. That experience is probably what encouraged me to go further in this field. 

EA: What is your current role? 

O. Sarrouy: I assist French businesses with an eye on the North American market. My tasks include producing market studies and sectoral analyses, prospecting for local partners and collecting feedback on my clients’ solutions, organising trade missions, seminars and events during local trade fairs, as well as developing and running a network of contacts with American and Canadian business leaders. 

EA: From this vantage point, how do you see the cleantech and green energy market and sector in the USA? 

O. Sarrouy: The USA’s main strengths lie in its ability for technological innovation, the ease of access to funding and the sheer scale of its projects compared to countries such as France. In 2024, a record amount of $303.3 billion was invested in energy transition, including clean technologies, electric vehicles and investments in the power network. The development of cleantech differs greatly from state to state, however. Just a few states, such as California and Texas, have become sector leaders, thanks mainly to favourable local regulations.

EA: What are the main differences between the US and European sectors? 

O. Sarrouy: The USA is at the cutting-edge of innovation in the fields of smart grids and storage technology. They also benefit from substantial subsidies and tax credits thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In addition, power is generally a lot cheaper, which really helps to boost production. On the other hand, the European Union adopts far more ambitious environmental policies, with the Green Deal in particular, and is therefore well in the lead in terms of ESG and LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) reporting. In the same vein, Europe’s regulatory framework is much stronger and more standardised, while the upheavals in US politics create an instability which hinders investments in electric infrastructures. 

EA: What role do French companies play in cleantech? 

O. Sarrouy: France is a pioneer in the development of renewable energy, and in particular offshore turbines and solar power. EDF, Engie, TotalÉnergies and Colas are all leaders in Europe and elsewhere, and French engineers are world-renowned for their expertise.  

EA: Do these assets enable French businesses to carve their place in the US market? 

O. Sarrouy: French companies boast an excellent reputation in the USA. They still have to adapt to the local market, however. Sales techniques differ between the two countries: the Americans focus on figures and hard-hitting pitches, while the French tend to concentrate more on their company’s history and philosophy. 

EA: What is the outlook for American cleantech in the years to come? 

O. Sarrouy: We are already seeing a growth in demand. Texas, for instance, is becoming a world leader in green electricity production.

EA: Could the presidential election change the game? 

O. Sarrouy: It will actually play a decisive role. There are two opposing views. Kamala Harris,  a fervent supporter of renewable energy just as Joe Biden, aims to decarbonate American electricity production by 2035 and plans to maintain the subsidies and tax credits if re-elected. Donald Trump has always supported fossil fuels. His policy could include cuts to funding for renewable energy and deregulation to the advantage of traditional industries and to the detriment of new green technologies. It must be pointed out, however, that during his term, Texas greatly increased its investments in wind and solar power; political action does have an unavoidable impact on the sector, but will have little or no influence on its growth. Whatever happens, growth will remain positive.

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser  (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni 

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